Part positioning assembly

ABSTRACT

A part positioning assembly is an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly includes a base, a post carried by the base and a puck detachably carried by the post.

FIELD

The present invention relates to positioning assemblies for positioningparts and components, such as aircraft components, for example, fortrimming, inspection and other purposes. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a part positioning assembly having interchangeablepucks and pins for engaging and positioning parts and components havingvarious sizes and shapes for non-destructive testing applications.

BACKGROUND

In many industries, fabrication of parts or components requires that theparts and components be trimmed or inspected such as using ultrasonicmeans. This requires that the parts and components be repeatablypositioned in a precise manner with a minimum of contact area between asupport and the part or component being positioned. Generally, toolswhich are being used for this purpose require a specific tool for aspecific part or for specific features in each part. Some tools coverinspectable areas on the part and require multiple part toolingpositions and multiple inspection scans for a single part. Therequirement of specific tools for specific parts and multiple scanpositions increases cost by increasing the number of tools and timewhich are required to process the parts. Furthermore, finding specifictools for specific parts is time-consuming.

SUMMARY

The present invention is generally directed to a part positioningassembly which includes single, dual or multiple adjustable assembliesin contact with the part. An illustrative embodiment of the partpositioning assembly includes a base, a post carried by the base and apuck detachably carried by the post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an illustrative embodiment ofthe part positioning assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the partpositioning assembly.

FIGS. 3-12 are perspective views of various interchangeable pucks andpuck pins which are suitable for implementation of an illustrativeembodiment of the part positioning assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the puck shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the puck shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 15-15 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 16-16 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the puck shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 18-18 in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a rib, illustrating positioning of thecomponent using a pair of part positioning assemblies.

FIG. 20 is an end view, taken along lines 20-20 in FIG. 19, of a puckelement of a part positioning assembly, engaging the part.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 21-21 in FIG. 19,of a puck element of another part positioning assembly, engaging thepart.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a spar, engaged by multiple part positioningassemblies.

FIG. 23 is a top view of an inter-spar rib (shown in phantom), with anelongated puck supporting the inter-spar rib in typical application ofthe puck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an illustrativeembodiment of the part positioning assembly, hereinafter assembly, isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 1. The assembly 1 includes abase 2. An elongated post 24, typically having a narrowed distal end 25which has a uniform diameter turned on the end to hold the tolerance,extends from the base 2. In some embodiments, a pin slot 27 is providedin the distal end 25 for purposes which will be hereinafter described.The base 2 may have any suitable design which is capable of supportingthe post 24 and allows adjustment between posts 24 of adjacentassemblies 1. In some embodiments, the base 2, which may be a Boschbearing truck with modified plastic bearings, includes an elongated baseplate 3. A pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart base flanges 4extends from the base plate 3. Multiple engaging members 10, each ofwhich typically has a T-shaped cross-section, extend from the bottom orinterior surface of the base plate 3 and the interior or facing surfacesof the base flanges 4. Each of the engaging members 10 may be attachedto the corresponding base flange 4 by extending fasteners (not shown)through fastener openings 5 provided in each base flange 4 and throughregistering fastener openings (not shown) provided in each engagingmember 10. The engaging members 10 may be attached to the base plate 3in a similar manner. In some embodiments, an adjustable t-nut (notshown) and ratcheting lock handle (not shown) are provided on the base2. The base 2 can be mounted on a rail or track system (not shown) fortransport thereon, in which rail or track system a rail or track (notshown) extends between the base flanges 4 of the base 2.

A block 14, which may be a modified 80/20 inc stanchion block, forexample, is provided on the base 2. The block 14 includes a pair ofblock flanges 15 which can be attached to the base plate 3 of the base 2using multiple block fasteners 16, for example. A block body 17 extendsfrom the block flanges 15. A post opening 18 extends through the blockbody 17. A block slot 19 extends through the block body 17 andcommunicates with the post opening 18. The post 24 is clamped in thepost opening 18 and extends from the block body 17 of the block 14. Asshown in FIG. 2, a dowel pin 20 is extended through a pin opening (notnumbered) provided in the block body 17 and into the post 24 clocks thepost 24 relative to the block body 17 and adjustable base rail (notshown).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a puck 30 is detachably fitted on the distalend 25 of the post 24. The puck 30 is sized and shaped to engage andposition a part or component in a manufacturing process for trimming,inspection and/or other purposes, as will be hereinafter described.Various alternative pucks are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 12-18 and will behereinafter described. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate magnetic pin pucks 48,54, respectively, which can be used instead of other puck/pincombinations. Magnetic pins shown in FIGS. 7-11 capture the puck on theend of the post 24 using a magnet (not shown) provided in the distal end25 of the post 24.

The puck 30 includes a generally circular or disc-shaped puck body 31.In other embodiments, the puck 30 may be alternative shapes. A postopening or counterbore 32 extends through substantially the center ofthe puck body 31 to receive the distal end 25 of the post 24. Multiplecontact teeth 33, each having a generally elongated contact edge 34,extend from the edge of the puck body 31, typically beyond the plane ofthe puck body 31 and in spaced-apart relationship with respect to eachother. Alternatively, the teeth 33 may extend from other sides of thepuck body 31 depending on which parts are to be positioned. The puck 30shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has sixteen contact teeth 33, although the numberof contact teeth 33 may be greater or lesser in number. Multipleapertures 36 may be provided in the puck body 31. A mount collar 35extends from the bottom edge of the puck body 31. A collar bore (notshown) extends through the mount collar 35 and communicates with thecounterbore 32. Accordingly, the puck 30 is seated on the post 24, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, by inserting the distal end 25 of the post 24through the collar opening (not shown) of the mount collar 35 and thecounterbore 32 in the puck body 31.

Referring next to FIGS. 3 and 13-16 of the drawings, an alternative puck30 a includes eight puck teeth 33. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a collarbore 35 a extends through the collar 35 and communicates with thecounterbore 32 in the puck body 31. The apertures 36 extend completelythrough the puck body 31.

Referring next to FIGS. 4, 17 and 18, an alternative puck 38 includes agenerally elongated, elliptical puck body 39. A post opening 40 extendsthrough the puck body 39, adjacent to one end thereof. A mount collar 44extends from the puck body 39. As shown in FIG. 18, a collar bore 44 aextends through the mount collar 44, in aligned relationship withrespect to the post opening 40. A pin 43, which may be magnetic, extendsfrom the puck body 39, in spaced-apart relationship with respect to thepost opening 40. In some embodiments, the pin 43 is seated in a pinopening 45 (FIG. 18) provided in the puck body 39. Multiple contactteeth 41, each having a generally elongated contact edge 42, extend fromthe edge of the puck body 39, beyond the plane of the puck body 39 andin spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. The puck 38 isseated on the post 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) by inserting the distal end 25 ofthe post 24 through the collar bore 44 a and post opening 40 (FIG. 18).As shown in FIG. 18, a cross bore 46 may extend laterally through themount collar 44, in communication with the collar bore 44 a. A clockingpin 47 can be extended through the cross bore 46 and through the pinslot 27 (FIG. 1) provided in the distal end 25 of the post 24 to attach,clock or orient the mount collar 44 to the post 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) ofthe assembly 1.

Referring next to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, a hemispherical puck 48includes a generally hemispherical or dome-shaped puck body 49. Amagnetic mount collar or mount pin 50 is typically threaded into a pinopening (not shown) provided in the puck body 49 and extends from thepuck body 49. The magnetic pin 50 magnetically engages the distal end 25of the post 24 to secure the puck 48 on the post 24. In someembodiments, the puck body 49 is magnetic.

Referring next to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, the puck 54 includes agenerally cylindrical puck body 55. Multiple contact teeth 56, eachhaving a generally elongated contact edge 57, are provided in an upperedge of the puck body 55. A pin 58, which may be magnetic, extends froman upper surface of the puck body 55. A magnetic pin 59 is threaded intoand extends from a pin opening (not shown) provided in the bottomsurface of the puck body 55.

Referring next to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, a puck pin 62 includesa generally elongated, cylindrical puck pin body 63. A circular puck pinplate 64 is provided on one end of the puck pin body 63. In someembodiments, the puck pin body 63 is magnetic. The diameter of the puckpin plate 64 is greater than that of the puck pin body 63. A pin 65,which may be magnetic, extends from the puck pin plate 64. The diameterof the pin 65 may have any desired diameter and is less than that of thepuck pin body 63 and of the puck pin plate 64. As shown in FIG. 8, in analternative embodiment, the puck pin 62 a has a pin 65 the diameter ofwhich is generally equal to the diameter of the puck pin body 63.

Referring next to FIG. 9-11, in another embodiment, a puck pin 68includes a generally elongated, cylindrical puck pin body 69. Agenerally circular or disc-shaped puck pin head 70, the diameter ofwhich is greater than that of the puck pin body 69, is provided on thepuck pin body 69. In some embodiments, the puck pin body 69 and or puckpin head 70 is magnetic. In some embodiments, a shoulder 71 is shaped inthe edge of the puck pin head 70. In alternative embodiments 68 a and 68b, respectively, of the puck pin 68, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,respectively, the puck pin head 70 has increasingly larger diametersthan that of the puck pin head 70 of the puck pin 68.

Referring next to FIG. 12, an alternative puck 74 which is similar indesign to the puck 30 a shown in FIGS. 3 and 13-16 includes a generallycylindrical puck body 75 having a diameter which is less than that ofthe puck body 31 of the puck 30 a. Multiple contact teeth 76, eachhaving a generally elongated contact edge 77, are provided typically inan upper edge of the puck body 75, although alternative toothorientations are possible. A post opening 78 extends throughsubstantially the center of the puck body 75. A mount collar 79 extendsfrom the puck body 75. A collar bore (not shown) extends through themount collar 79 and communicates with the post opening 78.

Referring next to FIGS. 19-22, in typical application, one or multipleassemblies 1 is/are adapted to hold and position various parts orcomponents of an aircraft, for example, for inspection, trimming and/orother procedures which are carried out on the parts or components duringfabrication, inspection and assembly of aircraft. However, it is to beunderstood that the assembly or assemblies 1 can be used in thepositioning of parts or components for any of various purposes in any ofa variety of industries. The pucks of various design which wereheretofore described with respect to FIGS. 1-18 can be selected anddetachably and interchangeably fitted on the post 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) ofthe assembly 1 depending on the size and configuration of the componentor part which is to be held and positioned using the assembly 1. Thepuck pins of various design which were heretofore described with respectto FIGS. 7-11 can be selected and detachably and interchangeably fittedon the puck to support the component or part. In inspection of thecomponent or part, each puck and/or puck pin is designed to contact thecomponent or part along a contact area (a point or line) which issmaller than the smallest size of any flaw which is to be found in thecomponent or part. The part or component is typically retained on theend of the puck with o-ring cord stock or equivalent that is smallerthan the smallest size of any flaw which is to be found in thecomponent. The part is captured by the cord stock as it is pulled aroundidlers (not shown) and through cleats (not shown). In some embodiments,the puck pin is magnetic to magnetically secure the puck on the post 24of the apparatus 1. In an alternate design, the puck can be made with amagnetic component or components to magnetically attract a magnetic partor component to hold the part or component on the puck.

In FIG. 19, a pair of assemblies 1 is shown supporting and positioning arib 84 for purposes of ultrasonic inspection, trimming and/or otherfabrication and/or inspection procedures which are to be carried out onthe rib 84. The rib 84 shown in FIG. 19 is one example of a componentpart of flaperon, aileron, inboard flap and outboard flap elements of acommercial aircraft. These elements of the aircraft include 330different ribs, spars and d-nose component parts which are amenable topositioning using one or multiple assemblies 1 during various stages offabrication and/or inspection of the parts. The rib 84 has a generallychannel-shaped design and includes a curved and tapered rib body 85 anda pair of spaced-apart rib flanges 86 which extend from the rib body 85in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship with respect to eachother.

In the example shown in FIGS. 19-21, a puck 30 a (FIGS. 3, 6, and 12-16)is detachably fitted on the post 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of a first apparatus1 a. A puck pin 62 (FIG. 7), which may be magnetic, may be fitted in thecounterbore 32 of the puck 30 according to the knowledge of thoseskilled in the art. The pin 65 of the puck pin 62 is typically about ¼″in diameter. Under circumstances in which the part has a large opening,the puck pin 62 a (FIG. 8), puck pin 68 (FIG. 9), puck pin 68 a (FIG.10) or puck pin 68 b (FIG. 11) can be used instead of the puck 30 a. Asshown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the puck 30 a is positioned between the ribflanges 86 of the rib 84, at or generally adjacent to the wide end ofthe rib 84, with a bottom surface of the rib body 85 resting on thecontact edges 34 of the respective contact teeth 33, as shown in FIG.20. The dimensions of each contact edge 34 are typically about0.040″×0.50″. The pin 65 extends through a pin opening 87, which istypically about ¼″ in diameter, provided in the rib body 85. Theassembly 1 a locates the height of the rib 84 and eliminates part rollmoment.

A hemispherical puck 48 (FIG. 5), which is typically about 1″ indiameter, is detachably fitted on the post 24 of a second apparatus 1 b.As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the hemispherical puck 48 of the secondapparatus 1 b is positioned between the rib flanges 86 of the rib 84, ator generally adjacent to the narrow end of the rib 84, with the bottomsurface of the rib body 85 resting on the dome-shaped puck body 49 ofthe hemispherical puck 48, as shown in FIG. 21. The assembly 1 b can berepositioned as necessary to facilitate a secure fit of the puck body 49between the rib flanges 86, as shown in FIG. 21. An o-ring cord 90 maybe used to secure the rib 84 to the puck body 49 at assemblies 1 a and 1b described above. During inspection, trimming and/or other fabricationof the rib 84, the assemblies 1 a and 1 b hold and position the rib 84.The hemispherical puck 48 locates the height of the rib 84 andeliminates yaw movement.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, a third apparatus 1 c and a fourthapparatus 1 d are used to hold and position a spar 94 for inspection,trimming and/or other fabrication of the spar 94. A pair of spaced-apartpin openings 95 is provided in the spar 94. A puck pin 62, 62 a, 68, 68a or 68 b (FIGS. 7-11) is detachably fitted on the post 24 (FIGS. 1 and2) of each apparatus 1 c and 1 d, respectively. Accordingly, the pin 65and 70 of each puck pin 62, 62 a, 68, 68 a, 68 b is inserted through thecorresponding pin opening 95 of the spar 94, with the spar 94 resting onthe puck teeth 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 12) of the puck 62, 62 a, 68, 68 a,68 b. The center distance between apparatus 1 c and 1 d is adjusted tomatch the positions of the openings 95 in the spar 94. An O-ring cord 90may be used to secure the spar 94 to the assemblies 1 c and 1 d. Duringinspection, trimming and/or other fabrication of the spar 94, theassemblies 1 c and 1 d hold and position the spar 94. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the diameter of the pin 65(FIG. 7) of the puck pin 62 and the pin 65 (FIG. 8) of the puck pin 62a, 68, 68 a, 68 b can vary according to the diameters of the pinopenings in the component or part which is to be positioned using theassembly or assemblies 1.

As shown in FIG. 23, in another application, an assembly 1 e can beconfigured to support a short inter-spar rib 98 which lacks a taper.Accordingly, the elongated puck 38 (FIGS. 4, 17 and 18) is fitted on thepost 24 of the assembly 1 e by inserting the distal end 25 (FIG. 1) ofthe post 24 into the post opening 40 of the puck 38. A puck pin, such asthe puck pin 62 which was heretofore described with respect to FIG. 7,may be inserted in the post opening 40 of the puck body 39. A second pin43 is typically seated in the pin opening 45 (FIG. 18) provided in thepuck body 39. The pin 65 of the puck pin 62 and the second pin 43 aretypically inserted through respective pin openings (not numbered)provided in the inter-spar rib 98 as the inter-spar rib 98 is lowered torest on the contact plate 64 (FIG. 7) of the puck pin 62. The inter-sparrib 98 may additionally rest on the contact edges 42 of the respectivecontact teeth 41 which extend from the puck body 39.

Although this invention has been described with respect to certainexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specificembodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, asother variations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

1. A part positioning assembly, comprising: a base; a post carried bysaid base; and a puck detachably carried by said post.
 2. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein said puck comprises a disc-shaped puck body and aplurality of contact teeth having a plurality of generally elongatedcontact edges, respectively, extending from an edge of said puck body,beyond a plane of said puck body and in spaced-apart relationship withrespect to each other.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising acounterbore.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 further comprising a mountcollar extending from said puck body in generally aligned relationshipwith respect to said post opening.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid puck comprises a generally elongated, elliptical puck body and aplurality of contact teeth having a plurality of generally elongatedcontact edges, respectively, extending from an edge of said puck body,beyond a plane of said puck body and in spaced-apart relationship withrespect to each other.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising apost opening extending through said puck body and a pin extending fromsaid puck body in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other.7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising a mount collar extendingfrom said puck body in generally aligned relationship with respect tosaid post opening.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said puckcomprises a mount pin or mount collar and a generally dome-shaped puckbody extending from said mount pin or mount collar.
 9. A partpositioning assembly, comprising: a base; a post carried by said base;and a puck having a generally cylindrical puck body detachably carriedby said post.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a pluralityof contact teeth having a plurality of generally elongated contactedges, respectively, provided in an edge of said puck body.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10 further comprising a puck pin extending from saidpuck body.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said puck pin comprisesa puck pin body, a generally circular puck pin plate carried by saidpuck pin body and a pin extending from said puck pin plate.
 13. Theassembly of claim 12 wherein said pin has a diameter generally equal toa diameter of said puck pin body.
 14. The assembly of claim 11 whereinsaid puck pin comprises a puck pin body and a puck head provided on saidpuck pin body.
 15. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising ashoulder provided in said puck head.
 16. The assembly of claim 9 furthercomprising a plurality of contact teeth having a plurality of generallyelongated contact edges, respectively, provided in an edge of said puckbody; a post opening extending through said puck body; and a mountcollar extending from said puck body in generally aligned relationshipwith respect to said post opening.
 17. A part positioning assembly,comprising: a base having a generally elongated base plate, a pair ofspaced-apart base flanges extending from said base plate and a pluralityof engaging members carried by said base plate and each of said pair ofbase flanges; a post carried by said base; and a puck detachably carriedby said post.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said puck comprises agenerally cylindrical puck body.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 furthercomprising a plurality of contact teeth having a plurality of generallyelongated contact edges, respectively, provided in an edge of said puckbody.
 20. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising a puck pin carriedby said puck.